If you’re here, you’ve likely installed a kitchen with the conviction that it would look exactly how it did in the showroom or on the website. Or it might be that you’re getting the first kitchen ever and fear that it won’t replicate the same charm it possesses in the store’s display. It’s a reason to applaud if the truth is anywhere between these suppositions. The chances of a kitchen looking like it does in the shop are so low that you shouldn’t even aim for that utopia – but make the most with what you have.
An understandable reason why two alike kitchens give different sensations and have dissimilarities in appearance is that they’re installed in different establishments. While arranging everything in 2m square at the showroom doesn’t involve pipes and cables, you can’t just place fridges, ovens, and sinks around as you please. Because you’ll need to take various limitations into consideration, your furniture’s placement might also be subjected to modifications. Or, at least, it should. There are different common-sense rules that suggest how furniture should be placed to make cooking and cleaning more efficient, as well as leave room for unflawed traffic. You want all these – your kitchen is probably one of the most trafficked spaces in the house.
So, how will you tick these boxes while ensuring your actual kitchen isn’t that different from your dream one? Well, we have some tips and pieces of advice that might work, so keep reading if you’re about to have a kitchen renovation or makeover.
A Sense of Practicality
A flawless kitchen is one that functions as well as it looks. Unlike your bedroom, where you can probably play with the positions of the bed, furniture, décor, and so on, your kitchen might restrict you in terms of freedom to move things around. The sink remains where it’s always been, so you have the freedom to build around starting from there. Now, you want the dishwasher to be in the proximity of the sink and garbage can – likely, on the left or right side. You leave the table, throw the leftovers in the trash, wipe the surplus off in the kitchen, and place the plate inside the machine, then deposit it in what’s hopefully a nearby dish cupboard or locker.
On another note, your sense of practicality will help you avoid placing things mindlessly, as many kitchens shown in the store are. Even with analogous cabinet units, the simple fact that you disrupt the coherence you saw in the store might have you feeling like something’s off—when it really isn’t. Your kitchen should be as functional as it can be.
Sufficient Light
One of the eye-catching aspects of kitchens displayed in stores is that they’re heavily lightened and bright, which makes them feel airier and roomier than they actually are, as well as adding the touch of convincing lavishness that buyers flip over. Why would you let a minor and quick fix make you fall out of love with your kitchen? You can add spotlights pretty much anywhere, have them automatically turn on and off, choose cold or warm colours depending on the effect needed, and so on. For instance, you can get products that let you play with contrasts, power, and effect. For example, black kitchens have spiked in popularity these days, given the luxurious feel guaranteed and their easy maintenance. But even so, you’ll likely want to ensure you have predominantly cold light when doing complex work like cooking cakes, reading, painting, helping kids with homework, or any activity that demands energy and focus.
When the sun goes down and the chilling time comes, you can turn them on warm and enjoy your glass of wine and favourite TV show, quietly entering the mood to doze off.
Enough Contrast
In time, a kitchen that lacks contrasting elements might become dull and lose lustre. It’s not because the space didn’t look like from a magazine after the renovation, but that lack of individuality and uniqueness could easily have you fall for a kitchen that you feel has more personality – and we’re not talking about décor and touches yet. For instance, if you dream of installing black furniture, consider adding enough whites, be they in tiles or on countertops. At the same time, for a white kitchen, elements in dark colours can give them that je-ne-se-quoi that improves their chicness.
Contrast can come from anywhere, and if you don’t have it already in your kitchen but aren’t willing to buy brand-new furniture or repaint the walls, know there’s a sea of solutions on a budget. You can add a collection of paintings in opposing hues if the space permits you, or you can buy replaceable doors if you want to work with the furniture you have while economizing space. The choice is yours, and the market alternatives are endless!
Serve style
Regardless of the room that welcomes your guests, the party likely always moves into the kitchen. Or not? On social occasions, you probably want a well-designed location to meet up. And a few tweaks can level it up no matter how large or small your kitchen is or whether it’s rustic or up-to-date. You can add some brass accents to give your kitchen a new shine, introduce some black accents to tamper pungent colours or wrap a wall in a luminous, outstanding brushstroke paper.
Do you have some memorabilia or pieces of décor that can be the kitchen’s star? Then, determine what place or corner in the room can accommodate a display shelf. Use your imagination this time and create a space that speaks for you.
Last Touch up
After everything is said and done, think of emphasizing key spots in style with some LEDs or light. There’s something so fascinating about the way that red light can calm you down and prepare you for a Netflix-and-chill night, while blue LEDs boost your mood and energy levels. Which colour do you think you’ll use the most?
